A three-dimensional illustration depicting the decks and laboratory layouts on the modernized ocean drillship JOIDES Resolution.

The top deck is the Bridge Deck (top right). The ship's dynamic positioning system is now integrated into the bridge. Technical support, science and operations offices for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) and a science planning area are now located on the Bridge Deck.

The second deck down is the Core Deck. From the receiving platform on this deck, cores that have been drilled from the ocean floor are taken through a series of scientific analyses. Downhole measurements, microscopy, paleontology, core description, petrophysics, stratigraphic correlation and paleomagnetism labs are on the Core Deck.

The third deck level is the Fo'c's'le Deck. The Fo'c's'le Deck now includes the following facilities: chemistry, microbiology, sample preparation, thin-section and X-ray laboratories; imaging office; publications office; videoconference-enabled conference room for entire science party; and a hospital.

The fourth deck down is the Main Deck. The Main Deck is where the galley, mess hall, food storage areas, laundry room, card room and the crew changing room are located.

The fifth deck down is the Forward 'Tween Deck. The Forward 'Tween Deck houses the ship's recreation areas, and features a lounge for social gatherings, computers for casual Internet use, coffee and snack bar, public telephone, movie room with new entertainment systems and an air-conditioned gym.

The JOIDES Resolution is a dynamically positioned drillship and a floating laboratory that can drill down more than 2,000 meters into the seafloor and in waters as deep as 7,000 meters. On board the JOIDES Resolution, scientists from all over the world will lead expeditions aimed at the deep biosphere and the sub-seafloor ocean; environmental change, processes and effects; and solid earth cycles and geodynamics. These are the principal science themes for the IODP, the international endeavor for which the new and improved JOIDES Resolution will primarily work.

The ship's overhaul has resulted in a new U.S. drilling vessel for IODP. Laboratory space has been increased by 34 percent and is designed for greater efficiency in handling cores. There are 16 additional berths and all staterooms are double occupancy. Drilling capabilities and ship stability have been enhanced.

The National Science Foundation is one of several IODP funding agencies. To learn more about the program, visit the IODP Web site. (Date of Image: 2007) [Image 10 of 10 related images. Back to Image 1.]